American Cruise Lines, which recently acquired the 120-passenger Queen of the West, a paddlewheeler formerly owned by Ambassadors International (Majestic America Line), has announced several seven-night itineraries departing from Portland, Ore., and Clarkston, Wash., starting in summer 2010.
American plans to modify the ship with less capacity and larger staterooms. Queen of the West will sail to the Columbia River Gorge, Multonomah Falls, Mount St. Helen’s, The Dalles, Hells Canyon and Astoria.
There had been considerable speculation that American would revive overnight cruising on the Mississippi, which has been unavailable since Majestic America Line closed down, but American Cruise Lines has further plans for West Coast operation to be announced early next year.
“Bringing our 30 plus years of small ship cruising experience to the West Coast is a very exciting prospect for us,” said vice president Timothy Beebe. “To bring Queen of the West back to the spectacular Pacific Northwest while applying our ‘Small Ship Cruising Done Perfectly’ methodology creates an enormous opportunity for discerning passengers looking to explore the best destinations in America.”
Launched in 1995, the Queen of the West is the first overnight passenger sternwheeler to be built and operated in the West in 80 years. Rather than use the traditional steam engine, she is powered by a revolutionary hydraulic propulsion system that uses environmentally safe biodegradable hydraulic oil. The 45-foot-long bow ramp allows passengers to go ashore anywhere along the river, much as the 19th-century vessels did.
American Cruise Lines specializes in small ship cruising along the inland waterways and rivers of the United States, now including the Pacific Northwest as well as Maine, New England, the Hudson River, Chesapeake Bay, the Historic South & Golden Isles and Florida.
The company’s fleet includes the 93-passenger American Spirit, the 100-passenger American Star and the 49-passenger American Glory, with the 104-passenger American Independence scheduled to enter service in June. With American Queen, the company will operate five ships next year. American has said that it will elevate the cuisine and service on Queen of the West. The line’s other ships have large opening picture windows, roomy baths, elevators and many private balconies, as well as flat-screen satellite television and DVD players and Wi-Fi access.
www.americancruiselines.com
